With our upcoming trip coming up on the horizon, we decided to put together a video highlighting the reasons that you should go to Cambodia and help us do the work that we do. We are not a group of White Knights rushing in to save the world. We are working with the local community and economy to build awareness and a culture of philanthropy among their own themselves. We lead by example but in the end, it is the local people who become the catalysts for their own communities.

Please share this video among your own networks, the video is available for download via Vimeo on their webpage.

Jum reap sour (Hello!)

The Cambodia YMCA‘s mission is to enhance the body, mind and spirit for the improvement on the living and welfare of the people in the Cambodian communities.

Our PROGRAMS include:

STREET CHILDREN PROGRAM The Cambodia YMCA works with children who are the poorest of the poor in the slums of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. They do not have access to a free and quality education. They also lack basic necessities such as food and adequate shelter. In response, the Cambodia YMCA provides FREE education and food to 70 children daily. This provides a safe haven where children can learn, grow, and prosper. As these children develop, they become mentors to the younger children. Therefore, creating a positive cycle of success. Currently, over 475 children have completed the program and still stay involved in some capacity.

YOUTH INSTITUTE This youth development program mainly focuses on providing pathways out of poverty by teaching the youth living in the slums of Phnom Penh, Cambodia vocational training such as photography, and computer skills. These children will then apply their skills in the real world. The program also teaches academic and social skills. The youth are empowered to be confident leaders with the skills sets and resources to succeed.

YMCA LEARNING CENTER This center provides a safe haven for over 130 children daily. It provides them with a quality education to children for a small fee, who cannot otherwise afford tuition at a private school. The center offers a low teacher to student ratio of 1:15. They are taught English and Khmer. The children are in a caring, loving environment and have the opportunity to play sports on Saturdays.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Young adults are the foundation of the YMCA. This program focuses on leadership development and capacity building for high school and University students. They are taught soft skills and job training.

HOME BASED CARE FOR ELDERLY Elderly people represents a small percentage of the population in Cambodia. These elders are survivors of the genocide caused by the Khmer Rouge. Most of these survivors, have not yet healed from the effects of PTSD. In addition, many are left with no family support system. The Cambodia YMCA works with elders by creating an environment where they are valued as assets. Their experience and knowledge are invaluable to help create a better Cambodia by sharing their stories with the younger generations.

APPLY NOW

The new application for the January 2016 A Cambodia Journey (ACJ) is now live! Organized by the YMCA of Greater Long Beach in partnership with Khmerican, ACJ is a two week service learning and cultural immersion program bringing Americans to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia.

ACJ AT A GLANCE
WHAT: A Cambodia Journey is a global service learning and cultural immersion program
WHO: Open to all US residents 18 and older
WHEN: November 1 – 14, 2016 (November 1-3 in Long Beach, CA and November 3-14 in Cambodia)
WHERE: Phnom Penh, Sihanouk Ville and Siem Reap, Cambodia
WHY: To become a change agent and raise awareness about the current situation in Cambodia
COST: $3,500 /per person

“WE DID IT!”

“I wanted to share what we were able to accomplish over the weekend with less than 2 weeks of planning. We started a new initiative called “Clean Cambodia” having 3 main goals/objectives:

GOALS/OBJECTIVES
1. To increase understanding about hygiene and the harmful effects of trash
2. To promote a clean environment and a proper place for trash
3. To find a sustainable solution and system for trash in these vulnerable neighborhoods.

Not only did we get the community involved, but we were able to secure a SUSTAINABLE solution. Prior to this event, CINTRI, the garbage truck company never came to this location in the slums of Phnom Penh. However, last Saturday was their FIRST time coming. They had 5 staff come and help clean up as well. Because of this, I was able to get CINTRI to commit to come once a week. This is awesome news!

I share this with you because this initiative was started because a friend mentioned that she wanted to do this type of project. It led to me gathering my friends to be team leaders and strategize how we were going to achieve what some would call an impossible task. I hope others who see this will see that all it takes is just one person and one follower to get the ball rolling.

I also want to give thanks to all of the partners/sponsors/volunteers/children/families involved in making this happen!

Thank you to the following people:

– Narence Hangchan, Peter Phoeng, Eunna Silver Jang, Chanda Hun, KiHow Tran, Che Sehyun, Chantha Kong, Galeno Chua, Anthony Gaglardi for being a part of the planning team
– Howard at Sokafe for donating 160 sandwiches to the hardworking volunteers
– The team at The Idea for their expert event planning skills and finding a sustainable solution through their contact at CINTRI
– The team at Mito Hotel មិត្តតូ for the clean up supplies, drinks and their endless help since day 1!
– Angkor Pearl Hotel and Peter Phoeng Photography for 150 kromas and photography services
– Nom Desserts (cafe) for the iced tea
– USA Donut for donuts!
– Vireak Khloth Chea at Western Pharmacy for first aid/medical supplies
– Arc Hub PNH for their flawless design skills and on the ground leadership
– Hope Now Cambodia for their sponsorship
– Rob K Sok for donating hundreds of livesavers
– Kim Sreypov, Hanna Ek, Bunthok Deth of Cambodia YMCA for their leadership and commitment to the community
– Immanuel Restoration Ministries for sponsorship
– WaterAid America for Labobo Watershed devices (http://www.watershedasia.org/tag/labobo/)
– Toul Les Jour for donating pastries and cake EVERYDAY to my kids at the YMCA
– Mr. Suy Huor and his 15 staff at HCC Group Co., LTD (EnviroCam) for donating clean up supplies and volunteering to help
– bong Kheng Navanny for donating over 10 cases of water.
– Pu Vuthy of Cintri for him and his staff’s involvement on clean up day and staying committed to having the garbage truck come once a month”

“We took over 70 YMCA street children to the Cambodia National Museum, where statues of Cambodian mythology and artifacts are displayed. The museum was a great opportunity for the kids because I don’t think a lot of them really learn about cultural history here. For some of them growing up, they’re just familiar with the streets, and don’t know the actual history of how Cambodia came to be.

We also took them to the park and gave them a shirt that says “Khmer Loves Khmer.” After ice cream, it was onward to the Royal Palace.

In America, I would never dream to see something like the palace and for these kids to only be a block away from this and never experience it all their life-is amazing. I hope that they do take this opportunity to learn about the culture and see that Cambodians persevere; you never give up because you know how great it can be.

I think they would never dream to have the opportunity to go into one of these places. What we provided with the YMCA was just astounding. Giving them the opportunity to dream and see that some things are possible even with the way the world is here for them.

The kids were very respectful when we were at the palace pagodas. I didn’t expect this behavior because of how they were raised; but, for them to show that respect to the temple and to the country, was wonderful. We were handing them money and you know that they have probably never touched 5,000 Riel, which is over a dollar, in their hand. To see that, to donate and to feel blessed about it was remarkable. For a kid to be so happy about putting money into the donation bin was just a great moment.”

About the YMCA Cambodia Project

To enhance engagement with vulnerable communities in Cambodia to improve their quality of life and increase exposure and understanding of Cambodian history and culture among program participants and their communities.